Author Note: Here's another chapter. A bit shorter than the previous ones but I rather liked this one. More emotional stuff.

Wanna say thanks again to sweetpotatopumpkin and Wanderstar for their lovely reviews last chapter.

Disclaimer: Bleach and its characters belong to Tite Kubo

Chapter 9: Please

Past:

I didn't really know what the others and I were waiting for. I knew that Ulquiorra had left with some of the other espada on a mission but didn't know what for or why we had to stand around in the throne room until they returned. Aizen never really trusted me enough to include me in his meetings with the espada unless it was absolutely necessary as he knew my loyalty was not for him, which honestly I was just fine with; the less I see of that man the better.

I sighed for what felt like the one-hundredth time; once again ignoring the irritated look Lilynette gave me at the sound. Ulquiorra's return instantly lifted my mood. I immediately ran forward to welcome him back with a big smile. I didn't miss the slight, telltale shift in his eyes that showed that deep down he appreciated the greeting and was pleased to see me.

I hadn't noticed the human behind him at first until I felt her eyes on me. I stared back at her, curious about why she was there. It took me a moment to recognize her as one of Ichigo Kurosaki's friends. Once I recognized that, it was easy to figure out why she was there. I couldn't keep the sad, regretful look off my face as I continued to stare at her. We both looked Aizen's way when he spoke.

"Orihime Inoue, welcome to Las Noches."

I blocked out Aizen's next words and took the time to observe the girl, Orihime; I didn't need to listen to know she would be staying with us for a long time. There was a sad resignation about her that was rather pitiful and tragic but there was also strength in her eyes that showed that she wasn't going to let her situation get the better of her. I found that rather intriguing but also admirable.

I followed when Ulquiorra led her from the room. He brought her to the room she would be staying in. I looked around the room just as Orihime did and found that it was a little depressing but that might have just been the overall mood. Ulquiorra informed Orihime that he would be returning later with food. Orihime didn't respond but did acknowledge his words.

Ulquiorra turned and strode through the doorway. He paused just outside and looked back, clearly waiting for me to follow but I just couldn't get myself to move. I stood there and took in the sad sight of our new "guest." Something in my heart told me not to leave her just yet. I finally returned Ulquiorra's gaze and gave a sad smile.

"I think I'll stay here for a bit."

His eyes widened a bit in surprise, which was understandable as I was opting to stay with a stranger instead of following him like I've done for decades. He composed himself and silently stared at me for a moment.

"Very well. You know where to find me when you're done."

I gave him a warm, grateful smile and turned back to Orihime. The girl had been watching the exchange between Ulquiorra and me with confused yet curious eyes. She clearly hadn't expected me to stay with her and had no idea what to expect from me.

I gave her the best reassuring smile I could give, hoping to put her at ease, which seemed to work to some degree. I moved to sit down on the sofa but stopped when she tensed slightly.

"Don't worry…I just want to talk." I moved forward and sat down when she relaxed a fraction.

"I guess I should introduce myself…I'm Gloria. I hope you and I can be friends."

Present:

Orihime was totally lost on how to comfort me properly as she didn't know me like I knew her but thankfully it wasn't long before my tears dried out. There was still an emptiness in my chest that showed that I was emotionally drained and not quite back to normal yet.

It was right at that moment that Rukia Kuchiki managed to kill Aaroniero. However, she was severely injured and would die if no one came to her aid. This had Orihime breaking out into tears. I pushed my emptiness and exhaustion to the side and slowly got up.

I was a bit unsteady on my feet but still managed to reach her and wrap my arms around her. I just held her, as I couldn't bring myself to think up any words of comfort. Her reaction to this wasn't what I expected it to be.

"Why?"

I pulled back slightly so I could look her in the face.

"Why are you comforting me when you clearly still need to be comforted yourself? Why do you always comfort and stand up for me without hesitation? I don't understand...Why?"

It was a strange thing to question at that moment, as she was still distraught about Rukia's condition, but she was also very confused and since there was nothing she could do for Rukia, she decided to focus on what she could address…me.

I didn't really want to explain this to her yet but I was so drained that I didn't feel like working around it.

"I've failed those important to me…" I started, gaining her full attention. "I don't ever want to be too late to protect my loved ones again, whether it be emotionally, physically or mentally." I gazed unwaveringly into her eyes as I said my next words.

"Right now, you are the closest thing I have to a friend." She clearly hadn't been expecting that but I continued on before she could respond.

"I know it is a bit unusual but please let me continue looking after you." I tried to keep the pleading in my voice to a bare minimum but she clearly still heard it but thankfully didn't point it out.

She silently stared at me, unsure how to respond. Eventually she spoke.

"Okay…but please…don't put yourself in danger to protect me." I relaxed and gave her a small smile. Her next words warmed my heart. "You're my friend…I don't want you to get hurt either."

"I won't." I promised but I knew that I would go against that promise in a heartbeat if she were in danger. "Now I need you to promise me something."

"What?" She asked with her head tilted to the side a bit in curiosity.

"There's a chance that Aizen will eventually separate us to lower your spirits further but promise me you won't let it. Everything will be fine…your friends are here to rescue you and I'll be fine on my own until you can come for me."

The thought of being separated obviously made her nervous but she still promised me that she would not dwell on it when the time came, if it ever did.

I released her then so I could throw myself down onto the couch. There was no time to really relax though as a surge in Ulquiorra's spiritual pressure had me jumping back to my feet. It seemed that he was confronting Ichigo. I started to panic, wondering if in this timeline this was the fight that could cost Ulquiorra his life but I relaxed as the fight went on and Ulquiorra hadn't gone into either of his resurrección forms.

Ichigo was really getting his ass beat by Ulquiorra, which naturally was upsetting Orihime but I decided to focus on the fight instead of her for once. I noticed right away that something was up with Ulquiorra; he almost seemed to be going easy on Ichigo though I couldn't fathom why. This was really apparent at the end of the fight.

Ichigo was weakened but not severally injured and it was the perfect opportunity to deliver the final blow and yet…Ulquiorra didn't. He left Ichigo with enough strength to get up and leave. It wasn't like I wanted him to kill Ichigo but it was so uncharacteristic of this Ulquiorra that it made me wonder why he would spare him.

Was something wrong?

Never thought I would think an act of mercy to be a sign of something being wrong but there was no doubt that it was strange. Orihime was relieved though so I dismissed it.

There was a lull in the fighting for a bit that provided us with a little time to relax, not that Orihime relaxed much as she was worrying about Rukia, but that didn't last long as the door opened. I knew even before it opened that the person on the other side was not Ulquiorra.

Author Note: So this time Ulquiorra didn't do that last blow where he pierces through Ichigo near his collarbone. Why? Let's just say that Akira's words to him are really changing him like I said last chapter.

I didn't mention this in the past section of the chapter but Aizen has the real hogyoku at that point just like in canon.

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